Florida Catholic | Diocese of St. Petersburg News Briefs

August 2008

Taking on the trash for God

Posted: 08.29.08

Catholics who like to praise God by taking care of his creation might want to consider joining the International Coastal Cleanup in Hillsborough County, which takes place Sept. 20 at various shoreline locations. According to the Ocean Conservancy, trash in the ocean kills more than 1 million seabirds and 100,000 marine mammals and turtles each year through entanglement and ingestion of garbage such as fishing line, plastic bags, six-pack holders and rope.

“You can help make a difference and prevent tragedies like these from occurring by participating in the world’s largest coastal cleanup effort,” said Christine Commerce, executive director of Keep Hillsborough County Beautiful, one organization running a local cleanup. “Your combined efforts with thousands of volunteers can make an impact not only locally but globally.” For more information, contact Keep Hillsborough County Beautiful, 813-960-5121.

Spanish Mass availability increases

Posted: 08.29.08

St. Joseph Parish, 3012 W. Cherry St., Tampa, has so many Spanish-speaking parishioners that it has added a second Spanish Mass to its weekend schedule. In addition to the 11:30 a.m. Sunday Spanish Mass, which brought in more people than church pews could hold, Catholics who enjoy the Mass in Spanish can celebrate at a 7 p.m. vigil Mass on Saturday. St. Joseph pastor, Father Felix Sanchez, said the new Mass is the only Saturday evening Spanish Mass in Tampa. For more information, call the parish office at 813-877-5729.

Hospital to provide heart screenings for women

Posted: 08.29.08

The St. Joseph’s Women’s Healthy Heart Center, 4321 N. MacDill Ave., Suite 201, Tampa, will provide free heart disease screenings to women who meet age, income and other criteria. According to the hospital, heart disease is the No. 1 killer of American women and the 30-minute health screening can help women assess their personal risk of developing heart disease. Screening participants must 20 years of age or older, with no diagnosed cardiovascular disease or reported chest pain. They may not be under the direct care of a cardiologist, they must be a resident of Hillsborough and their income must not exceed program-set levels. The screenings are being made available through an Allegany Franciscan Ministries grant and will take place Sept. 4 and Sept. 10. Appointments are required. Call 813-872-3780.

Festival seeks Christian bands

Posted: 08.29.08

St. Anne Parish in Ruskin needs Christian bands to perform during its fall festival, which will take place Oct. 25-26 on the grounds of the parish at 106 11th Ave. N.E., U.S. Hwy. 41. Music must be Christian-based and appropriate for all ages. The festival’s theme is “Community Unity” and is intended to build unity within the parish and its surrounding community. For more information, call Fran Nason at 813-641-9109.

Living Eucharist feeds parish program

Posted: 08.15.08

Catholics across the diocese are invited to join Light of Christ Parish, 2176 Marilyn St., Clearwater, as it begins a new season of faith and learning on the Living Eucharist initiative. The Light of Christ program uses Scripture and the works of contemporary spiritual authors to help participants grow in their understanding, appreciation and use of the Eucharist in the world today. The season starts Aug. 24 and ends in November. Those wishing to attend have several options: Sundays, 7:30-9 p.m.; Mondays, 9:30-11 a.m. or 7-8 p.m.; and Tuesdays, 9:30-11 a.m. or 7-8 p.m. For more information, call Mildred, 727-531-4355

Hospital priest named director of pastoral care

Posted: 08.15.08

Father Peter Bwayo, a St. Joseph’s Hospital chaplain for seven years, has been named the new director of pastoral care at the Tampa hospital.

Father Bwayo earned his Master of Divinity at Maryknoll in Ossining, N.Y. Prior to moving to Florida, he was a chaplain at St. Mary’s Catholic Hospital in New York.

“It is great to be part of this history,” he said, referring to next year’s 75th anniversary of St. Joseph’s Hospital and the 150th anniversary of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany, the hospitals’ founders. “I want to carry out the mission of the sisters and honor their work.”

Father Bwayo has long combined his role as a priest with health ministry. As a member of the Apostles of Jesus Community in Uganda, he was accepted into the seminary in Nairobi, Kenya, to study philosophy and theology. While there, he took care of fellow seminarians in the infirmary. He is currently in the process of building a clinic in Uganda for orphans and widows.

St. Joseph’s Hospital pastoral care department tends to the spiritual, emotional and religious needs of patients, families and hospital team members. Department members provide counseling, help in finding clergy for any denomination and support in times of spiritual crisis.

High school students sought for contest

Posted: 08.15.08

Students in grades nine through 12 can win cash prizes for their artwork as part of the Christophers’ annual poster contest for high school students. The Christophers, a nonprofit organization, was founded in 1945 to promote media as a means for individuals to recognize and utilize their God-given abilities to make a positive difference in the world. In the contest, students are asked to interpret the theme, “You Can Make a Difference.”

Eight prizes will be awarded, with a top prize of $1,000. Last year’s entries included paintings, photographs, drawings and computer-generated artwork. To participate, students must be enrolled in and attending high school. Posters must include the words, “You Can Make a Difference,” and entries must be postmarked by Jan. 19, 2009.

Entry forms and other details, such as the mandatory poster size, are available through www.christophers.org/postercontest; by e-mailing youth@christophers.org; by calling 1-888-298-4050, ext. 237; or by writing to: High School Poster Contest, The Christophers, 5 Hanover Square, New York, NY 10004.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for young people to not only express their creativity, but to give thought to the Christophers’ message,” said Gerald Costello, interim director. “Each year, it’s inspiring to see the enthusiasm of their response — they really want to make the world a better place.”

Expo looks at needs of elderly

Posted: 08.15.08

Seniors who want to remain in their home as they age might secure some good advice through the Aging in Place Expo taking place Tuesday, Oct. 14, in Northdale Park Center, 15550 Spring Pine Drive, Tampa. At the expo, older seniors and their caregivers can receive information on home- and community-based services which can make independent living possible. Guest speakers include representatives from the Hillsborough County Sheriff Office, the West Coast Florida Area Agency on Aging, Suncoast Gerontology, and the Alzheimer’s Association. Flu shots, vision, hearing, balance and memory screenings also will be offered. For information about the event or on becoming an exhibitor, call Brenda Cassato, 813-909-9059

Volunteer doctors needed

Posted: 08.02.08

La Clinica Guadalupana in Clearwater seeks doctors who can donate three hours one night a month to serve clients of the free clinic. The clinic is an official Catholic charity that provides medical care to people who do not have insurance and who meet low-income guidelines. It has a pharmacy and a local hospital donates lab work. Call Jana Carpenter at 727-480-9364.

Donations of musical instruments needed

Posted: 08.02.08

Our Lady of Grace Parish in Beverly Hills needs musical instruments and other musical education items to help set up a school of music in the Diocese of Buea, Cameroon, in Africa. The parish supports the diocese through a relationship established by Father George Jingwa, an African priest who served at Our Lady of Grace. Father Jingwa returned to Buea and his responsibilities include providing for the education of the local community, including a school of music.

Unfortunately, musical instruments other than handmade drums are not easily available to the people Father Jingwa serves, so Our Lady of Grace parishioners are trying to help their former priest by sending instruments, music lesson books and other related items. They have collected organs, an electric piano, electronic keyboards, trombones, trumpets and a table harp, but their 20-foot shipping container still has room for more instruments.

“I’m hoping it’s filled wall to wall, top to bottom,” said Ed Putnam, Our Lady of Grace’s director of music. “I will take music stands, horn hangers, sky hooks, whatever.” To donate, call Putnam at 352-746-2144.

Convenient conference takes place online

Posted: 08.02.08

The Paulist National Catholic Evangelization Association will present a two-day online conference called “Proclaiming Christ 2008” Sept. 16. Organizers say it will include daily prayer, four presentations, a question-and-answer session, discussion groups and exhibits.

Those participating will need access to the Internet and speakers or headphones to hear the presentations. Registration fees are $75 if received by Aug. 22 and $100 if received by Sept. 12. Visit www.proclaimingchrist2008.org for more information. Information and a possible discount is available through the diocesan Office of Evangelization and Adult Faith Formation, 727-341-6839, or by e-mail at dmk@dosp.org

A cross, a shield, a night celebrating Tampa Catholic

Posted: 08.02.08

Tampa Catholic’s annual “Cross and Shield Celebration” fundraiser will take place Nov. 1 at Higgins Hall, 5521 N. Himes Ave., Tampa. The event will include a silent and live auction, hors d’oeuvres, entertainment and a dinner by Bonefish Grill. Proceeds will benefit the school’s athletic complex and other campus improvements, as well as its tuition assistance program. The school currently is seeking auction items and event sponsorships. For more information, visit www.tampacatholic.org/crossandshield or call Deb Revels, 813-870-0860, ext. 227.

Seminar to address employment of homeless

Posted: 08.02.08

The St. Thomas Aquinas Parish social justice committee will present a seminar designed to help homeless people find employment in Pasco County. The program will take place Wednesday, Sept. 10, at 7 p.m. in the St. Thomas Aquinas Parish Center, 8320 Old County Road 54, New Port Richey. It will focus on three areas of need: securing valid identification, working with local government and providing employment opportunities. Presenters are: Ray Watson, Society of St. Vincent de Paul; Pasco County Commissioner Ann Hildebrand; and Sister Joan Foley of Connections in New Port Richey. All are invited and light refreshments will be served. For more information, call Robert J. Kealey, Ed.D., at 727-372-7157 or e-mail rckealeyva@aol.com

Parish seeks old friends

Posted: 08.02.08

St. Clement Parish in Plant City is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its church building and wants to invite former parishioners and other associated with the church to the celebration. The parish will begin the festivities with Mass in the church Friday, Nov. 21, that will be followed by a reception in Cronin Hall. A gala and auction will take place Saturday, Nov. 22, at the Red Rose Inn in Plant City. For more information, send an e-mail to rfontaine3@tampabay.rr.com or Carol Rodriguez at crab333526@yahoo.com.

Catholic Medical Association seeks new members

Posted: 08.02.08

A local guild of the national Catholic Medical Association is being formed in the Diocese of St. Petersburg and one of the activities being planned is a White Mass to honor physicians, dentists and health care workers. A date has not been set for the Mass, but anyone interested in joining the organization may contact Dr. Diane Gowski at 727-480-7574, Dr. Lizette Hernandez at 813-765-6625, or Father Robert Morris, VG, at 727-344-1611, ext. 354.

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